Thorn Among the Roses
Chapter 23: The Lost Moon
"Now be careful you two," an old yet joyful voice advised Oddpaw and Sweetpaw as they swept through the Elders Den, picking up all the old moss so the newer moss can be placed down, "you youngsters wouldn't want to tire your self's out with all that work." Larkwing smiled at them as they worked from the space outside the den where she sat reluctantly. It was harder for Oddpaw and Sweetpaw to convince the kind elderly she-cat that they didn't need any help.
"Their okay Larkwing," Reedwhisker laughed, "their strong! I mean have you seen the muscles on them? There mentors must be putting them through some quite intense dance training. I bet you two mice they could beat me at dance." Reedwhisker was lying on his back in the shade with the usual goofy smile on his face.
"That's not fair Reedwhisker," Larkwing replied, "I think I know you well enough to know you would just lose on purpose to get the mice." Reedwhisker gasped in a clear fake offence, Oddpaw smiled to herself as she watched the elders banter. "What kind of cat do you take me for?" Reedwhisker asked, "I'm a cat of great honour and pride not a silly fool who would give up his great title for two mice... As tasty as they are."
"What title?" Asked Larkwing, looking confused.
"Oh come on Larkwing my dear how could you forget?" Reedwhisker smiled proudly, "my long held title of greatness, epicness and graceness."
"Those last two aren't even words," Larkwing added.
"I was best dancer in my day," Reedwhisker continued, "they called me a prodigy!"
"They called you an imbecile," Larkwing corrected.
"There you go then!" Reedwhisker declared, "I'm an imbecilic prodigy!"
Larkwing sighed and her head fell into the ground. "How haven't you been exiled yet?" She asked, her voice sounding like she was asking the question to StarClan. Reedwhisker smiled and placed his paw on her shoulder, "I honestly don't know," he giggled, "I just really want those two mice."
Larkwing's muffled grunt was cut short as happy mew's called from across the camp and ran over to them. Sandkit, Daisykit and Twistkit bounded over to the Elders happily. Oddpaw watched as the Elders greeted the kits and began chatting to them. She hadn't seen Blazewing since last night when she refused to leave the Clan. Training in the morning was called off as Ravenstar and Blazewing were talking with Cricketpaw and Laurelstep about his decision to become a Protector. Oddpaw wondered who was going to be his new mentor? As far as she knew the only cats in the Clan who could fight were Blazewing and Thistlefang. And how were they going to tell Thornstorm, Cricketpaw's current mentor?
Yet despite the bleak times, things seem to be looking up.
"If you want mice so bad we could get them for you!" Sandkit offered to Reedwhisker.
"Yeah!" Daisykit cheered.
"Oh kits don't be going out of your way for this old worm," Larkwing smiled, "he hasn't done anything productive today he doesn't deserve mice."
"Hey!" Reedwhisker spoke, "I've been cracking jokes all day, that's being productive."
"Being unfunny isn't being predictive you imbecile!" Larkwing growled.
"You mean imbecilic prodigy?" Reedwhisker giggled.
Oddpaw smiled as she listened to the hissing of Larkwing, the dramatic cries of Reedwhisker and the laughter of the kits. "There as lively as ever," Oddpaw commented to Sweetpaw. Yet the other she-cat didn't answer she just continued to sweep moss into the corner with her paw, a distant look on her face. "Sweetpaw...?" Oddpaw called to her friend.
"... Oh, yeah Oddpaw?" Sweetpaw asked, realising she was being spoken to. Oddpaw notices that her friends voice was croaky from not being used for days. Sweetpaw was working a lot slower than Oddpaw after being so weak from the malnourishment that came with her previous darkened mood. "Are you okay?" Oddpaw asked, knowing that Sweetpaw still wasn't completely okay.
"I'm great," Sweetpaw smiled weakly.
"Maybe you should take a rest," Oddpaw suggested.
"Now you're starting to sound like Larkwing," Sweetpaw fake giggled.
"I heard that you cheeky apprentice," Larkwing called back to them, "and Oddpaw's right Sweetpaw you shouldn't even be working in your condition but your just about as stubborn as Reedwhisker. Why don't you both come and sit with us?" Oddpaw knew that it was the only way to get Sweetpaw from working so she nodded and headed over. Sure enough Sweetpaw reluctantly followed her. Oddpaw knew that nearly the entire Clan was aware that Rockfall disowned his kits for a reason and caused Sweetpaw's mood to take such a drastic turn but they don't know why.
Somehow Ravenstar had convinced Rockfall to stay quiet about the whole thing. Oddpaw felt bad keeping something this serious from Larkwing and Reedwhisker and knew they were very suspicious but they both just seemed happy that Sweetpaw was recovering now.
With Cricketpaw busy making plans with Ravenstar, Blazewing and Laurelstep he was unable to clean out the Elders like he usually does so that left Oddpaw and Sweetpaw but since Sweetpaw was still recovering she was staying in the Medicine Cat Den. She was very weak but she didn't want Oddpaw to be left alone with the work so she dragged herself over and helped. And it seemed not even DarkClan could stop her. StarClan knows Oddpaw couldn't. And with Featherbreeze out in the forest picking up more mint there really was no one else to stop her.
While Reedwhisker and Larkwing were half way through deciding what story they were going to tell, voices from on the other side of the camp caught the groups attention. Oddpaw turned her head to see Shinestripe and Shimmerheart saying goodbye to others cats in the camp. Two Protectors from CloudClan that Oddpaw didn't know were escorting them somewhere.
"Where are they going?" Sandkit asked the Elders. Larkwing looked over at the two cats parading proudly around the camp as others said goodbye to them. "They're going to the MoonFall's," Larkwing answered, sounding a little confused, "though since Mistcloud resigned as a Representative it's supposed to be only Shinestripe until another Representative has been chosen. I don't know why Shimmerheart is going with him."
From where he was lying in the shade not too far away Greytail spoke up. "Don't you know anything?" He asked, "well you probably don't seen as all you ever do is bicker with Reedwhisker all day long." Greytail's tail swished in annoyance as he stared with hostility at his den mates. Reedwhisker looked over to the old grey tom with a rather sassy look on his face. "It's called friendly banter my old acquaintance," he smirked, "try it sometime, but I'm afraid you're going to need to get some friends to me friendly with first."
Graytail growled and the kits laughed. "You are hardly well liked in this Clan for your idiotic ways," he hissed.
"I don't have idiotic ways," Reedwhisker snorted, "I have imbecilic ways get it right. And I think the crowed of kits and apprentices around me speaks for itself. Look at you over there all by yourself... Unless you have imaginary friends."
"I would not have something so foolish!" Greytail growled.
"Now, now there's nothing to be ashamed of," Reedwhisker cooed, "once you get to a certain age your mind is bound to go a bit loopy. I wouldn't blame you for having imaginary friends, I would if I was your age."
"You're the same age as me you idiot!" Greytail shouted.
"Well that just shows how strong you are," Reedwhisker smiled gleefully, "you've dealt with me since the beginning of your life. And I know sometimes despite my good looks, wisdom and graceness I can be just a little hard to handle. And after all this time I'm surprised you still hold on to a little bit of your sanity. So what you see things that aren't there? You deserve to go a little crazy as a reward for dealing with me all these years. You're a true hero, a one-of-a-kind!"
Graytail looked a little surprised but turned away with his eyes closed and a light scowl. "... Do you mean that?" He asked sincerely.
"No your just an old bat," Reedwhisker laughed.
Oddpaw found herself in a fit of giggles and the kits rolled on the floor in laughter. Graytail hissed at Reedwhisker who just continued to laugh at his own joke. "What's all the commotion over here Graytail?" Shinestripe asked as he, Shimmerheart and the two CloudClan protectors approached them. Graytail hissed at Reedwhisker and the group around him one last time before turning to the Representative bowing his head. "Nothing of importance," he said, "ignore the Imperfects. Congratulations again for getting the title as the new Representative Shimmerheart."
"Well thank you Graytail!" Shimmerheart laughed while lifting her head up high, "it has always been a dream of mine. To be honest when I had Radiantkit I thought my dream would never come true but if anything she has helped me. How could you not give the title of Representative to a cat who went to all the effort to bring such a beautiful daughter into the world."
"Well if you asked me the title should have been yours in the first place," Graytail smiled, "you deserve it. And we all know Radiantkit gets her looks from her mother." Shimmerheart giggled at his compliments as she soaked them up like moss in water. Oddpaw didn't know how to feel about her real mother getting the title of Representative. She had seen it coming to be honest. Shimmerheart had done nothing but swoon around Shinestripe for moons so it seems like all that parading around and acting as Shinestripe's little minion has paid off. Oddpaw felt disheartened that knowing how to dance in both Extreme and Graceful, good looks and knowing how to get on a cat's good side was all it took to get such a high and well respected title. No compassion or kindness needed.
"It's a shame I can't take Radiantkit to MoonFall's with me," Shimmerheart sighed, "but I've left her with Nightfur and let's hope that he doesn't mess this up for us. If I come back from the MoonFall's to see dirt on my precious kits fur then I'm going to give that stupid Imperfect another scar."
Oddpaw's eyes widened as she heard the words 'scar' and 'another.' She felt her stomach twist as Shinestripe, Shimmerheart and Graytail laughed. She turned to Larkwing and Reedwhisker to see them both with awkward and slightly angered looks on their faces. There was no way Shimmerheart could hurt Nightfur so bad to give him a scar right? Oddpaw had seen her shout, insult and scratch and bite him before but all the scratches and bites didn't look deep enough to scar.
Shinestripe and Shimmerheart began walking with her tail high in pride around the camp to chat to more cats before the two Representatives left, the large Protector guards trailing behind them. "So…" Larkwing sighed, "Shimmerheart has become a Representative... StarClan help us all."
"No use," Reedwhisker said shaking his head, "not even StarClan can save us now." Twistkit looked up to Oddpaw his pale green eyes shining with curiosity and a hint of shyness. "Um... Oddpaw?" He asked, "why are those big scary cats following Shinestripe and Shimmerheart everywhere they go?"
"They are going to escort them to the MoonFall's Twistkit," Oddpaw answered, smiling down at the small tom.
"Why?" He asked.
"They don't know the way," Oddpaw replied while keeping down the shred of happiness that bubbled inside her when she thought about the two getting hopelessly lost. "So Protectors that do know the way escort them there."
"Why do they go to the MoonFall's?" Twistkit asked her, "can I go there someday?"
"Representatives go to the MoonFall's every moon when there is a clear night," Larkwing answered for Oddpaw, "where the moon can be seen and the star's shine. They go there just for private meetings." Reedwhisker scoffed and leaned closer to the Oddpaw, Sweetpaw and the kits so only they could hear. "Private meetings my tail," he smirked, "they just go to meet up with the SunClan Representatives and talk about all of us behind our backs."
Sandkit, Daisykit and Twistkit were practically rolling around with laughter, even more so when Larkwing smacked Reedwhisker over the head. "Hush you mouse-brain," she whispered harshly, "they might hear you." Reedwhisker just laughed like he couldn't care less and he probably didn't. Oddpaw would off laughed with them but like Sweetpaw she just smiled, she still couldn't get what Shimmerheart had said about Nightfur out of her head.
Twistkit was leaning against her from laughing so much yet he was now looking at her with worried eyes as she wasn't laughing along. She made a fake giggle down at him to reassure him she was alright and he seemed to fall for it. "Why do they have to go when the night is clear?" Asked Sandkit, "why don't they go when it's all dark and spooky?" He giggled like he was considering how much fun it would be. Larkwing and Reedwhisker faced each other with concerned looks. Daisykit made a humph noise, "well maybe they don't like the dark," she answered.
"Not everyone's a little scaredy-cat like you Daisykit," Sandkit teased.
"I am not a scaredy-cat!" Daisykit hissed.
"Yeah you are," Sandkit replied, "your always clinging to Mistcloud when it's dark outside. And you squeaked once when I poked you, you're such a scaredy-cat."
"Your mean!" Daisykit cried.
"I'm scared of the dark," Twistkit added trying stop his siblings from arguing. Sandkit turned to him with a smile, "yeah but your allowed to, you're the youngest." Oddpaw saw the relief in Larkwing's and Reedwhisker's faces when they didn't have to tell the kits why they don't go to the MoonFall's on a dark night. Oddpaw was rather curious as well but figured it was best not to ask that in front of the kits.
"Would you stupid, loud mouth, Imperfect kits shut up!" Greytail shouted, "If you go to the MoonFall's on a dark night you will be followed by a dark curse until the day you die." Larkwing and Reedwhisker sent Greytail hostile looks but it was too late, the kits interests had been sparked.
"Cursed?!" Daisykit squeaked with fear.
"R-really?" Asked Twistkit shivering with fright.
"Cool!" Sandkit exclaimed, "what will the curse do?"
Larkwing and Reedwhisker looked hesitant and their faces looked rather fearful. "It's just an old tale," Larkwing smiled trying to calm the kits down. Oddpaw never knew that you should never go to the MoonFall's on a dark night. Yet by the way Larkwing and Reedwhisker eyes seemed panicked that it was a touchy subject and not just an old tale. "A true old tale," Greytail added from where he was sitting.
"Shut up!" Larkwing snapped, her now harsh voice making them all jump and many cats in the camp were staring at them. Yet after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence they looked away. "You dare to speak to me like that?" Greytail hissed, "you do nothing but lie to them. Let the Imperfects know what may happen to them if they step out of line."
"Hey Sandkit, Daisykit, Twistkit?" Sweetpaw asked, "do you kits want to look around the Medicine Cat Den? We can talk about the curse on the way. I know all about it." The kits all happily agreed and Sweetpaw lead them away. Oddpaw was for a second confused as to how Sweetpaw knew anything about this apparent curse. Yet the wink Sweetpaw sent back to Oddpaw and the Elders meant that she was only tricking the kits and like Oddpaw had no idea what they were talking about either.
Larkwing and Reedwhisker sighed in relief. "There goes another liar," Greytail spoke before lying his head down. Larkwing hissed under breath, striding angrily back into the den. Reedwhisker sighed, giving Greytail a narrowed look as he followed her into the den. Oddpaw was so curious about the curse but she was a bit too afraid to follow and ask.
As much as she didn't wasn't to talk to him she only knew one cat who would tell her the harsh truth.
Graytail.
She made her way over to where he was lying in the shade of the large pines beyond the camp. His eyes were closed and any other cat would have thought he was asleep but Oddpaw saw how his fur bristled as she made her way over to him. Once she was close enough yet still at a safe distance she spoke, "what curse?" She asked, not bothering with small talk. One of his eyes cracked open and looked her up and down in disgust. "Why should I tell you anything Imperfect?" He asked.
"Didn't you just say 'let the Imperfects know what may happen to them if they step out of line'?" Oddpaw asked.
"I suppose the last story I told you wasn't enough you dirty piece of fox dirt?" He smirked, lifting his body of the ground.
Oddpaw ignored his insult and kept a straight face, "what curse?" She asked again.
Greytail chucked darkly, "on a night were the sky is clear, the moon and stars shinning, MoonFall's is a gateway to StarClan. The light and inhabitants of our ancestors protect and guide us from MoonFall's on those nights. Yet when the night is dark, the moon and stars covered with dark clouds are ancestors cannot reach the gateway of MoonFall's. Instead the gateway is occupied by a far darker ancestor. That's where DarkClan comes in."
Oddpaw gasped yet Greytail continued with a smirk. "Any cat who goes to the MoonFall's when no light from moon or stars shine is at the mercy of the dark spirits of those denied entrance to StarClan. They are said to bewitch those cats who enter on a dark nights and offer them powers beyond their imaginations. But it is all a trick because those powers will turn against the ones who they are given to by the dark spirits. It will curse them with bad luck, death and even insanity and follow that cat till the dark curse destroys them completely. And even then the curse will follow the family of that foolish cat in a never ending cycle and can only be stopped when all who are blood related to the cursed one have been purged."
Oddpaw let a few second go by to absorb all the information. "It sounds like an old tale to keep kits from going out on dark nights," Oddpaw said.
"You don't think we all thought the same thing Imperfect?" Greytail hissed, "but a cat I once knew when I was young. A very foolish, very shameless cat went to the MoonFall's on a night so dark, even the snow on the White Mountain couldn't be seen and the sky roared with thunder. I remember the night well. That foolish cat gained the dark abilities of DarkClans. Those powers did miracles, that cat was loved and praised in the Clan for creating miracles. But soon the dark abilities turned against that cat. Bad luck and insanity soon followed, family members and loved ones died, the abilities turned against them and they didn't know how to stop the curse. The abilities were eventually the death of them along with many they loved."
Greytail leaned closer to Oddpaw. "And do you know who that cat was Imperfect...? No...? Her name was Nightleaf, the last cat ever to be executed and the mother of Ravenstar and her brother. Our leader was only a kit when her mother was sentenced to death for her crimes. And Ravenstar and her brother along with her. Once the three of them were taken away we heard that the Protectors who escorted them to the BloodStone and the SunClan cats who saw through with the execution were all dead. Found dead at the BloodStone and their prisoners gone. Yet we never heard hide or hair of them for many moons we presumed they had been given to the BloodStone. Yet in the middle of the war with the Divergence. Ravenstar returns. And to this day no one knows how she survived or what became of her cursed mother and brother. A bit odd don't you think? No cat had ever escaped execution before yet a tiny kit managed to escape. And who killed those Protector guards and SunClan cats? Some cats say that the curse runs through Nightleaf's family now. And that Ravenstar is cursed, along with all that are related to her. Still as much as I hate that mysterious Imperfect even I have to acknowledge that she is the only cat to ever escape execution. The only cat to ever be escorted to the BloodStone and made it back alive. Quite admirable... For a filthy Imperfect."
Oddpaw backed away from him in shock. It all seemed too much to take in. Ravenstar was going to be executed and by the sounds of it lost her mother and brother to the BloodStone. And she had somehow escaped. "But that's not all you want to know is it?" Greytail asked. Oddpaw wanted to say it was and just leave because she felt like she couldn't take in anymore of his horror stories. But she needed to know what Shimmerheart meant by 'scar.'
"Tell me why Shimmerheart said Nightfur has scars?" She asked, "how did he get them? Was it Shimmerheart who hurt him?" Oddpaw couldn't stop asking questions. She knew that if Ravenstar found out that Shimmerheart had hurt her son she would kill the new Representative for sure.
"No it wasn't your real mother's claws and teeth that made the scars that he hides in shame under that Imperfect fur," Greytail hissed with a grin, "but Shimmerheart did play a part. She was foolish enough to stray out of the camp when she was only an Apprentice with her friends. They were attacked by what was left of the Divergence who had become Rouges. Shimmerheart was with her adopted brother Shallowpool, her best friend Cherrystream and her love at the time Morningcloud. All three of them were killed after the attack."
"The only reason Shimmerheart survived and escaped unharmed was because Nightfur who was also only an Apprentice showed up and protected her yet he was badly injured. He would have been killed like the rest if the Protectors didn't show up to chase the Rouges away. Nightfur was on the brink of death for a moon. Yet he was successful in protecting Shimmerheart until the Protectors got there because she escaped physically unharmed. Thanks to the efforts of Featherbreeze, Nightfur's fur grew over his scars. Yet if you look closely some can still be visible. Yet after Nightfur recovered Shimmerheart took him as her mate in Morningcloud's replacement. But that's all he'll ever be to her, a pawn to achieve her goals. As it should be. He is an Imperfect after all, he's lucky to get a cat as beautiful like Shimmerheart. But still it seems your family doesn't have much luck on its side Oddpaw. Not surprising with Nightleaf being your great grandmother. Who knows? Maybe that curse still flows in your blood."
Oddpaw shook her head and quickly dashed away from him before he could continue taunting her. It couldn't all be true! She couldn't be cursed! But then looking down at her paws and yellow fur her suspicion began to grow. Was this her curse?
She found herself wandering to the edge of camp near the Medicine Cat Den. Suddenly the sound of rapid breathing caught her ears. Featherbreeze burst over the ravine and landed into the camp. Her face was panicked, white fur standing on end, blue eyes wide and her breath was extremely quick. She looked back into the forest with a scared look. Like something had been chasing her.
"...Featherbreeze?" Oddpaw called to the alarmed Medicine Cat staring with fear into the forest like some monster was going to burst over a ravine and attack her. When Featherbreeze heard Oddpaw she gasped and turned around in fright to look at her. Yet once she saw Oddpaw she relaxed slightly. "Oh it's only you Oddpaw... You scared me," Featherbreeze sighed trying to calm herself down.
"Sorry, are you okay?" Oddpaw asked curiously, "what happened?" Featherbreeze's face looked haunted. As she stared back over the ravine her eyes still held great fear yet her breathing had calmed somewhat. "Something that I should tell Ravenstar right away," Featherbreeze looked like she was willing her legs to move to Ravenstar's den in the Ancient Tower yet they wouldn't obey her.
Suddenly Oddpaw got flashbacks of the monster that chased her through the forest only a few days ago. "Was something chasing you?" Oddpaw asked, Featherbreeze only nodded, "something chased me a few days ago." The white Medicine Cat turned to her in surprise.
"What did it look like?" Featherbreeze asked.
"Well," Oddpaw began, "at first it was a beautiful cat, very beautiful. Like what I'd imagine Moon to look like. Then it turned into a horrible monster and hovered off the ground. It chased me for a while but when Blazewing arrived it was gone."
Featherbreeze looked even more disturbed, "that's what I just saw," she almost whispered, "if we both saw the same thing then is probably a prophecy. And if it is then it can't be good at all. That was by far the most terrifying vision I've ever had. It seemed so real... Have you ever had visions like this before?"
Oddpaw nodded, "when I was a kit the same beautiful cat visited me in a dream," she answered, "she said that all the forest will be doomed without me."
Featherbreeze nodded, "if you ever get any visions or dreams like this again then tell me," Featherbreeze answered, "whatever this all means it can't be good at all." Featherbreeze walked towards the Ancient Tower and Oddpaw looked up into the forest as an icy breeze passed her by, rustling the trees.
Suddenly a screech of rage rung through the camp, getting everyone's attention. Oddpaw's gut jumped, thinking it was the monster. Yet when she turned to the patch of shade near the Warriors Den she saw Shimmerheart and Nightfur. The dark tom was cowering close to the ground with one of his eyes closed with lines of blood running from just above his eye and his face scrunched with pain. Shimmerheart was standing over him, her fur bristled and her face filled with rage.
"What do you mean you lost her?!" Shimmerheart shouted at the tom on the ground. Nightfur cowered lower as all eyes in the camp turned to them. "I'm sorry," Nightfur whispered, his voice barley hearable, "I was looking after her and I turned my back for a second and she had gone, I'm sorry I shouldn't have looked away."
"You're sorry?!" Shimmerheart screeched, "my daughter is missing because of you and that's all you can say?!" Upon hearing that Radiantkit was missing the camp went into an uproar. Ravenstar strides out of her den with Blazewing and Thistlefang by her side and Cricketpaw and Laurelstep trailing them. Ravenstar had an annoyed look on her face. "What's going on?" Ravenstar demanded in an assertive voice.
"Radiantkit is missing!" Shimmerheart answered sound distraught, "this stupid fox heart lost her!" Shimmerheart hissed at Nightfur. Ravenstar's ears flicked with anger and she breathed in clearly trying to control her rage. "How long has she been gone Nightfur?" Ravenstar asked turning to her son, her voice seemed calm but the rage was clear from her piercing golden eyes when she saw the injury on Nightfur's face that was clearly made by Shimmerheart's claws. "She's been missing for too long!" Shimmerheart called.
"I'm not talking to you," Ravenstar answered firmly yet not taking her eyes of Nightfur. The dark pelted tom breathed in to calm his breathing before answering his clearly furious leader. "I last saw her about twenty moments ago," he answered.
"And where was that?" Ravenstar asked.
"By the Nursery Ravenstar," Nightfur replied.
"Right..." Ravenstar sighed, "Blazewing run over to CaveClan and request their assistance for a search party."
Blazewing nodded and took of out of the camp at full speed. "We need all the help we can get," Shinestripe called, "get CaveClan as well." Ravenstar's whiskers twitched with annoyance and her eyes closed as if all the commotion was giving her a headache. "I don't think we will need two Clans to search for one kit," Ravenstar stated.
"That wasn't a request Ravenstar," Shinestripe warned. Oddpaw wasn't sure from where she was standing but it looked like Shimmerheart had smiled at the sight of Ravenstar's attempt to control her anger. Ravenstar turned to Thistlefang, "will you go and summon CloudClan also?" Thistlefang replied that he would before taking off in the opposite direction to Blazewing.
It didn't take long for warriors from CaveClan and CloudClan to storm into the camp and start organising searching parties. Oddpaw was hiding in the Ancient Tower as she was told to stay out of sight by Ravenstar. She watches the commotion from the ledge, keeping low so not to be seen as Ravenstar had demanded of her. Luckily everyone was to focused on the ground to look up and search the ledge.
From her ariel view Oddpaw saw, Smallflight among the CaveClan Warriors and Caver's. Patrols of CaveClan and CloudClan cats alike dispersed from the camp. Smallflight and his patrol were the last ones to leave. Oddpaw saw the huge form of Hookclaw in the patrol with him.
After knowing the part he played in Bluebellpaw's, Copperpaw's and Sessilepaw's death she couldn't help but feel her claws scrape the rock beneath her. Even though the part he played was questionable and whether he really knew what was going on at the time was unknown. According to him anyway. And Oddpaw couldn't help but not trust the huge brute of a cat. Even from where she hid above him she still seemed to get the impression he was towering over her.
Hookclaw barked some commands and the group took off into the forest. Leaving only MoonClan cats in the camp, all sitting on the side lines looking confused and worried. Oddpaw made her way down from the tower and slipped behind the nursery. She was facing the ravine. She didn't know why but she wanted to go after them. Maybe it was her distrust to Hookclaw? And she knew how risky it was.
Oddpaw looked out from behind the nursery. No one had paid her any attention when she ran behind the stone den. She saw Sweetpaw lying outside the Medicine Cat den. She still looked incredibly weak, slowly slipping into sleep. Oddpaw couldn't ask Sweetpaw to go with her. She needed rest. Oddpaw felt herself become incredibly upset when she remembered that it would be Sweetpaw making these stupid ideas that always ended in them both getting in trouble. And even though Sweetpaw was eating and talking now she still wasn't the same yet. Maybe she wanted to do something that reminded her off her best friend? She didn't know why but she ran after Hookclaw, Smallflight and their patrol.
She followed their trail out into the forest. Heading towards the back of MoonClan territory, towards the Dense Wood and the unclaimed territories. Radiantpaw couldn't have gone there could she? As the scent of the patrol came closer she changed her position to keep down wind of the patrol.
The trees began to become less thick. Oddpaw skidded to a halt when she scented them right below her. She snuck out of the undergrowth, keeping low and her paws quiet like she was hunting. When she emerged she saw a slope leading downwards. Down the slope the trees were less thick and in the far distance Oddpaw could see the unclaimed territories, or the Vast Prairie. Just below her was the patrol, Oddpaw kept as low as she could while also being able to see them.
A large dark grey tom with even darker grey, nearly black tabby markings on his face and orange eyes stood next to Smallflight. Whitepaw, Mintpaw and Fallenpaw, the Apprentices from CaveClan and CloudClan that Oddpaw met at that gathering. The cats who made a forbidden friendship group with other Apprentices. Mintpaw and Whitepaw stuck close to Smallflight and the orange eyed tom next to him. Oddpaw wondered if they were their mentors. Fallenpaw stood further away and the three were showing no signs of knowing each other. Yet Oddpaw couldn't see Hookclaw.
"I can't scent her," stated Smallfight, "maybe we should move closer to the border." The larger orange eyed tom lifted his head to look around, Oddpaw ducked under his sight. "I agree," the orange eyed tom answered, "there's no sign of her here."
"You'd think CaveClan's notorious brotherly union would be able to pick up on the scent of a missing kit. But apparently this pampered MoonClan cat has you both beaten." a voice as rough as jagged rocks and as low as a rumble of thunder called the two into silence. Oddpaw held her breath as Hookclaw appeared from right below her, under the steep slope. He was right below her. It scared Oddpaw that if the ground beneath her gave away that she would fall on him.
"What are you trying to say Hookclaw?" The orange eyed tom asked with a hint of hostility. Hookclaw smirked at the other tom's anger, like her was enjoying tormenting him. "I'm saying how surprised that the both of you can't pick up on the scent of a mere kit," Hookclaw replied.
"Leave it Hookclaw!" The orange eyed tom snapped, his dark grey fur bristled and the tabby stripes on his face made his eyes look twice as fierce. Smallflight nudged him rather weakly, "Rubblegorge don't get angry," he spoke, "it's what he wants." The tom named Rubblegorge turned to Smallflight, his face softening. He breathes deeply and turned away from Hookclaw, who seemed rather annoyed but the lack of reaction.
"Well I don't see you helping!" Whitepaw hissed running up to Hookclaw despite the toms and her sister calling her back, "why don't you leave our Clan alone?! We don't want you snooping around trying to get Redstar to join your little rebellion! It will never work you dirt brain!"
Oddpaw and every other cat that heard had wide eyes, Fallenpaw looked absolutely terrified. Yet Hookclaw only smirked, "well Rubblegorge," he addressed the other tom yet not taking his eyes off Whitepaw, "it looks like your brothers Apprentice has more fire than you. It takes a real wildfire to stand up to me. I'll admit no one dares speak to me like that. I'm rather impressed little Apprentice. Next battle CloudClan have with CaveClan I'll be sure to put that fire out. You foolish little she-cat."
Hookclaw loomed over Whitepaw, the small Apprentice had to crane her head as far as it would go to even make eye contact. Hookclaw's jagged and oversized teeth formed a sly smirk down at her. Oddpaw felt herself grow terrified just by looking at him. She couldn't imagine the terror Whitepaw felt.
Yet if she felt any terror at all, Whitepaw didn't show it. She stared the huge curved jawed tom right in the eye. Her blue eyes burning into his yellow orange pools. Rubblegorge pushed between the two and hissed at Hookclaw. Even the large Rubblegorge was smaller than Hookclaw. "I'd like to see you try Hookclaw," he challenged, "CaveClan will never back down to CloudClan and especially not you."
Hookclaw made a small laugh at Rubblegorge's attempt to intimidate him. "I know for one I would never fight for you," Rubblegorge continued, "after what you did to those apprentices." At this Hookclaw's face formed into one of anger. He stepped forward closer to the other tom.
"I had no part in their deaths," Hookclaw hissed.
"Of course you didn't," Rubblegorge growled sarcastically, "it's not like you to harm those you see lower than yourself."
"Maybe that's true," Hookclaw sneered, "and if it is shouldn't you be afraid that I see you as lower as I?"
"I have nothing to be afraid of," Rubblegorge spat, "I know you see me as below you. I don't care what you do, CaveClan won't end up like those Apprentices you killed."
"Their own father killed them," Hookclaw smirked, "I had no part in it."
"Just admit you're a murderer! And we'll never join you!" Whitepaw hissed from behind Rubblegorge. Hookclaw growled and made a lunge for Whitepaw yet Rubblegorge stood in his way. Smallflight and Mintpaw rushed forward and pulled Whitepaw and Rubblegorge away from the clearly angered Deputy of CloudClan.
"We're here to find the missing MoonClan kit not fight!" Smallflight warned, "Rubblegorge... Brother please listen to me. You can't fight him on MoonClan territory you know that. Just because he has no respect for the code doesn't mean you have to lose your respect." Oddpaw noticed for the first time that Smallflight didn't look to well. His eyes were a dull pale white and his breathing seemed fast. "Whitepaw stop being an idiot," Mintpaw hissed at her sister as she dragged her away from Hookclaw.
The group of CaveClan cats seemed to be stuck in time as Hookclaw stated with hostility at every single one of them. They seemed frozen under his gaze. Oddpaw wondered how just one cat could carry such an air of authority, danger and cause such a reaction from a group of four cats. All trained in combat and faced off even the Divergence. Yet one hostile look from the huge, over powering and deformed, jagged jawed and clawed Deputy of CloudClan and they froze.
"I've found it," a small voice called, breaking the tension. All eyes turned to where Fallenpaw was standing, her green eyes were staring towards the direction of the Dense Wood. "I can scent her, she went towards the Dense Wood." No one seemed to believe her until Smallflight scented the air and turned to his companions.
"She's right," he spoke with a smile, "she's in the Dense Wood, well done Fallenpaw." The small grey she-cat seemed shocked with the compliment but nodded with her head down shyly as Smallflight passed her, his tail brushing along her shoulders as a well done. "Well?" Smallflight asked, looking back at the others, "are you all coming or not?"
Rubblegorge gave Hookclaw one last dirty look before following his brother in the direction of the scent. Whitepaw followed them with her head held high and Mintpaw followed her sister with an irritated sigh. Hookclaw watched them go with narrowed eyes before following them.
As he passed Fallenpaw she kept her head down from her huge mentor. Hookclaw halted beside her, to Oddpaw's surprise he growled and snapped at her ears aggressively. In the speed of light, Fallenpaw ran towards the Dense Wood with a small squeak of fright. Hookclaw hissed to himself before looking back at the space he was standing. His eyes travelled around the area and Oddpaw shuffled back quietly as his eyes passed the slope.
Oddpaw couldn't see him anymore but she heard him walk away. Once she was sure they had left she looked back over the slope to see nobody. She sighed to herself. She really should go back. This was a terrible idea. Yet she instead found herself running along the top of the slope following the patrols scent.
Oddpaw followed the patrol across the territory. She stayed out of sight and followed their scent. She could feel herself grow tired. MoonClan territory was huge. But the group of Protectors didn't slow their pace. Oddpaw followed the scent to the edge of the Dense Wood.
When she finally caught up to them they were standing on the edge of the wood. Oddpaw had never been this close to the Dense Wood. It was like no other forest she had ever seen. The trees were dead looking and the wood dark. A chilly breeze seeped out from the nightmare forest and the thin branches of the trees looked like long black claws, tearing away at the chilled air.
Oddpaw was so focused on the eerie first she almost didn't see the tired and sickly look on Smallflight's face. Her attention turned to the tom as he walked a small distance from the group. His breathing was fast and raspy and he swayed from side to side like he was about to faint. His brother Rubblegorge approached him. Oddpaw had to strain her ears to hear them. "Are you sure you're alright?" Rubblegorge asked, looking concerned.
"I'm fine Rubblegorge," Smallflight spoke with a weakening voice, "it's just a little head ache." Rubblegorge looked his brother over in doubt. The toms spoke silently and Oddpaw could no longer hear them. But her attention soon turned to Hookclaw as he strides into the Dense Wood with no fear in his eyes or hesitation in his steps.
He looked back at Fallenpaw and made a low yet quiet hiss. Fallenpaw edged toward with hesitation and clear fright in her eyes as she stared between Hookclaw and the forest as if she was trying to decide which one she was more scared of yet she eventually followed her mentor into the haunting wood. Rubblegorge and Smallflight followed her, nudging their Apprentices along with encouragement and giving calm words. Yet as Hookclaw did and much to her mentors amusement, Whitepaw skipped into the forest like she was gracefully skipping into a meadow of butterflies.
Oddpaw watched as they disappeared into the dead of the dark forest. She breathed deeply to calm her fear of the forest as she slid down the slope and forced her shaking paws to take her into the taunting wood. As soon as her paws stepped into the forest the shadows seemed to swallow her whole. She gulped and willed herself to be brave before she forced herself to follow the groups trail.
The scent was hard to track in the cold air of the forest that made her nose feel as if it was freezing on the end of her face whenever she sniffed in the ice cold air. Yet Oddpaw managed to kept on the trail. The ground in the Dense Wood was as cold as their air around her. Oddpaw didn't know how this forest could remain so eerie. It was like something evil lurked in the forest. The dead trees never moved with the breeze and even though the trees were leafless there was not a single leaf on the ground. Oddpaw couldn't smell a single piece of prey in the darkness of the forest.
Suddenly a shriek sliced through the stone cold air. Oddpaw rushed through the forest towards where the shriek came from. She stopped just in time before she ran into the patrol and hid in the bushes. Oddpaw saw Whitepaw, Rubblegorge and Mintpaw standing over Smallflight who was lying motionless on the ground. Oddpaw had to stop herself from running to see if he was okay.
"Smallflight!" Whitepaw called, with the worry in her voice so it was clearly her who had screeched, "don't die!" Whitepaw begged as she nuzzled his motionless body. Oddpaw grew very worried as Mintpaw checked him over and Rubblegorge stared down at his brother with clear worry and panic in his eyes.
"It's okay," Mintpaw stated, "he's alive, just fainted." Rubblegorge sighed in relief yet his body was still tense. Whitepaw still nuzzled her mentor like she was told he had just died. "And I here I thought CaveClan was stronger than this," Hookclaw smirked, "did he faint of a tiny head ache? Or was he scared of the spooky forest?"
Rubblegorge and Whitepaw turned to Hookclaw in anger and Mintpaw's whiskers twitched. "And here I thought CloudClan was more intelligent than this!" He hissed, "my brother is very ill I'm taking him back to the MoonClan camp." Rubblegorge, with the help of Whitepaw and Mintpaw lifted Smallflight onto his back. "I'm going with you," Whitepaw said with worry still clear in her voice.
"As am I," Mintpaw added, from his place watching the other Protectors Oddpaw saw Hookclaw turn his gaze to Fallenpaw who was sitting away from him and all the fuss. Oddpaw couldn't hear what he said but whatever he whispered to Fallenpaw she nodded quickly and joined the other Protectors as they walked back towards the camp. "You all go back," Hookclaw called to them, "I'll continue to search."
Oddpaw knew that she should go back. She had already gone far enough. But she still found herself unable to trust Hookclaw. And after what she had heard from him she knew she had the right to be very suspicious of him. She followed with narrowed eyes and a low hunting stance as Hookclaw continued into the forest.
Suddenly he broke into a run and Oddpaw picked up her pace and followed his scent. Yet suddenly his trail stopped. Just in one spot. Oddpaw stopped in the spot and looked around for the dark grey white pelt and any signs of deformed teeth or claws. But she saw nothing but the sharp claw like branches of the dark trees.
Out of the corner of hr eye something shone. At first Oddpaw thought it was day light. Yet the branches above her were too thick to let any light into the forest. Yet when she turned to look at it. It looked more like a ball of silver moonlight. Oddpaw thought it might be Radiantkit, yet the light seemed too bright even for her beautiful sister.
Oddpaw wondered towards it and as she got closer she saw the shape of a cat. A very beautiful cat. It was the same cat from her dream, and the same one that turned into a monster in the forest and chased her. Oddpaw stared wide eyed at her as the beautiful cat stared in surprise back at her. The moon like she-cat looked as if she was about to run for her when Oddpaw heard moving behind her.
A rustling of branches and an aggressive low growl, running paw steps from what sounds like two creatures and hisses of a fight. Oddpaw snapped out her frozen state and turned around to see two forms tumble into a leafless thick branched bush and fall into the darkness behind it. Oddpaw was about to run after then to find out who or what they were when a small voice called to her. "Oddpaw?" The voice asked.
Oddpaw squeaked and jumped back, looking for who said her name. In front of her stood Radiantkit staring at her in surprise. It took Oddpaw a while to get her bearings back but the sound of fighting from behind that dark bush and in the darkness pulled her into reality. She growled to herself and was about to run into to the bush when she felt soft teeth pull on her fur.
"Come on," said Radiantkit as she let go and ran away. Oddpaw called for her yet she didn't come back, Oddpaw ignored the fighting and followed Radiantkit through the dark branches. Oddpaw looked for the moon like she-cat who could jump out in monster form at any given second yet she had gone. Oddpaw kept Radiantkit's shinny silvery white and grey pelt in her sight as she pushed through the branches and they clawed away at her.
Radiantkit lead her out of the forest. Oddpaw dived through the dark branches and landed on softer and warmer ground. The light of the MoonClan forest hurt her eyes after being in the darkness of the Dense Wood. She breathed heavily after all the running yet was grateful that the air was warm. Radiantkit who was also trying to control her breathing stared at her with shocked bright blue eyes. "What where you doing in there?" Radiantkit asked.
"I was going to ask you the same thing," Oddpaw replied, "CaveClan and CloudClan are looking all over for you." Radiantkit gasped and her head fell with a frown. Oddpaw didn't know what was going on with her but she did want to know what a beautiful cat like Radiantkit would be doing in an ugly place like the Dense Wood? "Why where you in there Radiantkit?" Oddpaw asked seriously, "where you lost?"
"I go there some times," Radiantkit answered with shame in her voice, "in the middle of the day when all of MoonClan is asleep and late at night after the moon basking is over."
"Why would you go there at night?!" Oddpaw gasped with disbelief.
"The Dense Wood isn't so bad once you get used to it," Radiantkit spoke so quietly it was nearly a whisper, "I like it there."
"But why?" Oddpaw asked.
"Well," Radiantkit's ears flattened in embarrassment, "I like to get away from MoonClan now and then. They all swoon around me and tell me about how beautiful I am. They won't even let me talk sometimes because every time I do they interrupt me to say how much they love my voice. And Shimmerheart can be really over baring. Please don't tell her that! I just… Want to get away from them all sometimes. I know it's a bit selfish but I just... Want to be alone with just me and do what I want sometimes. And nobody can stop me in the Dense Wood. I've been sneaking away there for so long I'm surprised they haven't noticed till now."
"No, it's not selfish and I won't tell, but who do you meet there?" Oddpaw asked.
"Who do I meet there?" Radiantkit replied in confusion, "no one I'm alone in there."
"B-but I just," Oddpaw stuttered looking back into the motionless forest, "I saw a bright pelted cat in there and I heard two creatures run right behind me before they dived into a bush and started fighting. You heard them to didn't you? They were right behind the bush."
Radiantkit looked confused and slightly concerned. "I... Don't know what you've seen or... Heard," Radiantkit shook her head, "but I'm in there alone, it's why I go." Oddpaw stared into the Dense Wood. She knew she wasn't crazy, they had to be there.
"It's crazy isn't it?" Radiantkit stated.
"I am not!" Oddpaw hissed.
"Not you silly!" Radiantkit snapped, "I mean that we're sisters... We hardly know each other... It's sad."
Oddpaw was surprised, she never seen Radiantkit snap at anyone even if she was only joking around. "I know," Oddpaw nodded, "I wish I could get to know you but..." Oddpaw couldn't make her voice finish the sentence.
"Shimmerheart," Radiantkit stated with a nervous chuckle.
"I can see why you run off here," Oddpaw smiled, "she's mad."
"As mad as a spring hare!" Radiantkit laughed before her face paled, "but don't tell anyone I said that please!"
"Don't worry I won't," Oddpaw reassured her, "why are you so worried about what Shimmerheart knows anyway?"
"I can't be rude," Radiantkit answered, "it would purge my beautiful image as Shimmerheart says."
"Well you'll be an Apprentice soon," Oddpaw added, "you'll get more freedom and more time away from Shimmerheart."
"I know she's overbearing and mean," Radiantkit spoke sadly, "but she's not all that bad really, she takes care of me well she really does. Yeah she's hard to handle but she's still my mother and I love her despite what she does. I just felt like apologising on her behalf for the way she behaves… to you and… others I mean. I know this maybe a lot to ask but someday… could you um… please forgive her… someday, I mean she is our mother... your mother."
Oddpaw's eyes widened at the request, she didn't know if she could forgive Shimmerheart with all she had done and is continuing to do. She wished she could say the same way as Radiantkit did. She can't bring herself to forgive Shimmerheart or love her as a mother, she didn't hate her but she defiantly didn't like her either. Oddpaw couldn't really like her after all she's done. She didn't know what Radiantkit saw in her but she did have a point. Shimmerheart was her mother. As much as Oddpaw wished it was Flutter. That wish will never come true. Her real mother was Shimmerheart. No matter how hard she wished it not to be true. Not even the stars above can't change what's in their blood. But blood was about the only thing they had in common. Oddpaw found herself unable to answer Radiantkit yet the other she-cat seemed to understand.
Radiantkit smiled at Oddpaw with a calm yet gleeful smile, "I understand," she answered, "but promise me that one day you'll think about it. Maybe in time she won't be so bad." Oddpaw hesitantly nods and notices how open and talkative Radiantkit was. Normally she would do nothing but sit still and stutter awkwardly. She had never seen this side of Radiantkit before yet when everyone flocks around you telling you none stop how beautiful you are and not really listening to what you have to say would probably made her rather awkward around others. Oddpaw didn't know how all of that feels but she did know what it was like when others only look and that surface and not what underneath. It made Oddpaw giggle when she realised that life wasn't looking up for either of them. The most beautiful in the Clan and the ugliest. Neither beautiful or ugly was happy in MoonClan.
Oddpaw was to lost in her thoughts that she didn't see Radiantkit sniff the air and tense up with wide beautiful blue eyes. "Quickly hide!" Radiantkit gasped, pushing Oddpaw towards the Dense Wood. Before Oddpaw could even ask her what was wrong she found herself falling into the darkness of the many branches and the stone dead coldness of the Dense Wood.
Radiantkit ran towards the bushes as a patrol of CloudClan and CaveClan cats found her. They bowed low and explained that they would like to escort her back to MoonClan camp. Radiantkit gave them permission to stand and agreed to go with them nervously. Oddpaw pushed her small head out of the spiky twigs and watched as they disappeared from her sight. Then when the scents had faded Oddpaw followed the trail back towards the MoonClan camp.
As she grew closer to the camp she was sure to stay out of sight and smell of the Protectors. Oddpaw stayed down wind and poked her head out from the bush up on the top of the ravine and looked down on the MoonClan camp. The camp had crowded around the tiny ball of moonlight known as Radiantkit. All exclaiming their relief that she was safe. Shimmerheart was in the middle of all the crowed, fussing over her daughter and asking her if the Protectors hurt her. Oddpaw could hardly hear Radiantkit's soft and quiet voice over the sound of all the MoonClan camp but she looked very overwhelmed with all the attention she was receiving.
The Protectors stood far back from the reunion. CloudClan and CaveClan each staying in either side of the camp. Each staring with hostility at the other and not a noice could be heard from a single one of them as they awaited instruction respectively. Oddpaw watched as Ravenstar approached, Redstar, Oakstar and Hookclaw walked towards her. They had met closer to Oddpaw's position so if she strained her ears and blocked out the sound of the ecstatic MoonClan cats she could hear them.
"Thank you for bringing Radiantkit home safely," Ravenstar thanked the Protector leaders, "you may leave whenever you are ready." Oakstar bowed low to Ravenstar and began to lead his Clan out of the camp. Yet Redstar and Hookclaw stood tall in front of Ravenstar. Redstar's mad eyes twitched and his lips rose in aggression. Hookclaw stood like a huge boulder in front of the dark leader. His eyes narrowed and Oddpaw couldn't help but shuffle back, the huge toms usual sinister aura increased with each second. Yet Ravenstar showed no sign of fear in front of the massive formed tom. She remained unmoved and emotionless. Oddpaw could see no fear in those piercing golden eyes. Ravenstar's unfazed aura was almost as intimidating as Hookclaw's dangerous display.
Redstar made a short and quiet gurgle like growl before he turned away and stiffly walked to his own Clan and lead them away. Oakstar's old eyes looked back at Hookclaw who was still stood with Ravenstar. "Hookclaw," Oakstar calling in his croaky voice. The large tom scoffed at Ravenstar, breaking the eye contact. Yet before he left he spoke to Ravenstar, "watch your back," Hookclaw threatened in a low voice. For just a second as he was turning away, Oddpaw was scared that his narrowed yellow orange eyes set on her. But he quickly turned away and strides towards his Clan.
Ravenstar remained still and standing firm. She remained like that until all of CloudClan and CaveClan left. Then her eyes closed slowly and she took in a deep breath before walking towards the still ecstatic crowed of MoonClan cats. Oddpaw figured that there was no more to see so she made her way down the ravine.
Oddpaw went unnoticed by any of the other MoonClan cats as she walked towards Sweetpaw, who was drifting in and out of sleep outside the Medicine Cat Den. Yet just as she was about to call out to her friend, Sweetpaw's head shot up as fast as her stiff bones and her weak muscles would let her. She signalled to Oddpaw with her head and tail to hide. Oddpaw didn't question her, she dived behind the Medicine Car Den just in time as Smallflight, Rubblegorge, Mintpaw and Whitepaw all stepped out.
"I'm sorry I can't do more for you," Featherbreeze apologised as she followed them out of the den. Rubblegorge nodded politely at her. "No worries," he reassured, "you are MoonClan, we are CloudClan there is no changing the code." Featherbreeze nodded rather sadly back.
"I feel much better after a rest," Smallflight smiled happily even though he still clearly looked quite unwell. Featherbreeze could tell that the Protector was lying yet she smiled anyway. "I'm glad to hear Smallflight," she answered before turning to the other three and began speaking about Smallflight's condition to them.
Oddpaw watched as Smallflight sneakily broke away from the group and snuck towards her hiding place. Oddpaw backed away but he walked all the way over. "Oddpaw?" He whispered when he was close. Oddpaw felt no need to hide that she was there anymore especially when Smallflight already knew about her. Oddpaw pushed her face out from the rocks, "yes?" She asked.
"Don't worry," he reassured, "the others don't know your here."
"That's good," Oddpaw whispered back.
"Can I... Ask you a question?" Smallflight asked.
"Yeah of course," Oddpaw smiled rather nervously.
"Can you meet me at the border near the Dense Wood tonight just as the moon rises?" Smallflight asked seriously.
"Em..." Oddpaw spoke quite shocked, "okay... But why?"
"Please don't ask," Smallflight whispered while looking around nervously, "I'll tell you there."
"Alright," Oddpaw replied getting rather scared, "I'll meet you there."
Smallflight sighed in relief and smiled happily down at her before he casually snuck back to the group. They didn't even realise that the sneaky tom had gone in the first place. And after some questionable looks and sly comments from the MoonClan cats the four left after their Clan.
Oddpaw wandered out of her hiding place when she was sure the Protectors had gone. Sweetpaw and fell back asleep yet Oddpaw felt it was only right to smile at her sleeping form in thanks anyway. The camp had calmed quite a bit and Radiantkit was nowhere to be seen. She had probably been taken back into the Representatives Den with Shimmerheart and Shinestripe.
Oddpaw saw the kits, Sandkit, Daisykit and Twistkit burst out from the nursery after they had to hide Twistkit from the Protectors and his brother and sister had loyally decided to stay with him instead of watching the Protectors that they were so curious about. Sandkit and Daisykit ran around with excitement as Twistkit tried his best to keep up and they tried their best to help him along.
Oddpaw felt a pain in her heart when she noticed how much they reminded her of Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw. Oddpaw turned her head away when the resemblance became too much.
"Oddpaw?" Came am unsure voice, Oddpaw's eyes opened and head spun around to see Nightfur standing behind her. His face looked rather nervous and he had dried blood on his face from Shimmerheart's attack. Oddpaw couldn't help but stare at it. "Y-yes?" She answered wondering why he was speaking to her.
"I'm just on my way to the Medicine Cat Den for... This," Nightfur referee to his injured face awkwardly, "but I just wanted to well... Um... Say something to you."
"O... Okay," answered Oddpaw, getting rather worried.
"N-nothing bad!" Nightfur exclaimed with nerves, "on the contrary... I... Wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?" Oddpaw asked.
"Well," Nightfur began, "correct me if I'm wrong...! But... I went to check up on you in the Ancient Tower when the search began. But I couldn't find you there or anywhere else in the camp. So I just thought... T-that you might have gone to help find Radiantkit. Sorry if I'm wrong! B-but did you?"
Oddpaw was rather shocked that he went to check up on her and that he had looked around when she wasn't there. And was also surprised that the dark tom was able to put two and two together like that. Oddpaw didn't know why but she never saw him as the intelligent type. Unlike his mother Ravenstar, Nightfur was a follower and acted like he was unable to think for himself and had Shimmerheart make all his decisions for him. But it looked as if he was smarter than he let on. Maybe that was what compelled Oddpaw to tell him the truth. "Yes I did look for her," Oddpaw replied, "and I followed the patrol that brought her home."
Nightfur smiles proudly at her, "that was very brave of you Oddpaw," he smiled, "I'm very proud of you." Oddpaw felt like her spirits were being lifted instantly. She knew it was strange that her own father wasn't allowed to talk to her because his mate won't allow it. And he was never there for her like a father should be because of it. Yet his approval still seemed important to her. And he had looked for her. It must mean he cared for her. Maybe he was looking out for her in his own way. The only way he can, from afar.
"Nightfur!" A voice screeched from across the camp. Nightfur flinched at the sound and his head, ears and posture instantly lowered as he peered back nervously. "Y-yes Shimmerheart," he answered with a shuttering voice. From across the camp Oddpaw could see Shimmerheart staring angrily at Nightfur from the crowed she was in the middle of. "Do you need me to do everything for you?" She asked viciously, "go to the Medicine Cats Den before you bleed all over the camp!"
"Yes Shimmerheart," Nightfur replied with a slight sad smile, "I'll go, sorry." He turned away and not giving Oddpaw a second look he, made his way to the Medicine Cat Den were Featherbreeze was patiently waiting for him. Oddpaw's eyes looked back at Shimmerheart who was staring right back at her like she saw an enemy. Shimmerheart's blue eyes clearly told Oddpaw to stay away from her biological mothers property. Oddpaw tried her best to hold her gaze yet she felt vulnerable under the bright blue gaze filled with nothing but spite and hatred.
"Oddpaw?!" A small voice called to her, Oddpaw's attention was now on the small kit hobbling on three legs towards her. Twistkit stopped in front of Oddpaw and looked up at her with excitable green eyes. "Can you play games with us?" He asked enthusiastically with his brother and sister following him.
"Alright okay," Oddpaw laughed happily as the three kits pulled her towards the shade of the large trees. Oddpaw giggled as she was pulled along, she knew that she couldn't say no to them. "What should we play?" Asked Daisykit when they got to the shade of the trees where the kits usually play when the sun is too high in the sky for MoonClan cats. "How about mouse catch?" Oddpaw answered with a fond smile appearing in her face.
"What's mouse catch?!" Asked Sandkit. Oddpaw laughed as she told the three kits all about how to play. But didn't mention who the ones who taught her the game were or how much they reminded her of them. Oddpaw was to engulfed in explaining that she didn't notice the high tension in the Clan.
Flutter sitting outside the Nursery staring Shimmerheart down with a fierce stare that Shimmerheart was returning with just as much fire. Sweetpaw's one open eye, and how she had witnessed Oddpaw's and Nightfur's confrontation. Ravenstar's angered face as she sat at the top of the Ancient Tower staring up at the sky above her. Nightfur's darkened mood, Featherbreeze's concerned stare as she worked on his injury. Blazewing looking down at Oddpaw and the kits from the top of the ravine, his tail swishing but his face as hard as rock. And through all this Oddpaw wondered to herself.
Why did Smallflight want to meet with her?
This chapter took so long because it has been rewritten about five times coz they were all shit :')
But I hope this chapter was worth the wait so thanx for being so patient you awesome people =D A lil bit more Radiantkit is always a treasure I think. Greytail doesn't always get an appearance, but when he does he gets a monologue ':) But Reedwhisker is always there to make his life a living hell and smile while he does it ;D Blazewing better make way for the knew jerk in town! The great and jerkish Hookclaw! (did he or did he not play a part in Bluebellpaw's, Copperpaw's and Sessilepaw's murders or was it all their father?). But can Hookclaw beat Shimmerheart? We ask the Bitch-O-Metre. I'm curious, who is everyone's least fav character coz we really do have a lot of snakes silvering around hating on everything.
Sorry for any mistakes and thank you for reading :D